Point Lookout State Park

Recreational opportunities abound on this picturesque peninsula formed by the Chesapeake Bay and the Potomac River. Swimming, fishing, boating and camping are just a few of the activities to be enjoyed in this beautiful bay setting.

This park's peaceful surroundings belie its history as the location of a prison camp which imprisoned as many as 52,264 Confederate soldiers during the Civil War. A museum on site recounts this vivid history. A park map is available at park headquarters, the camp office, camp store, and the Civil War Museum/Marshland Nature Center.

Read about the park's mysterious ghosts in the Fall 2001 edition of The Natural Resource magazine. The park has also been listed as having one of the coast's top 10 haunted lighthouses in Coastal Living Magazine's online features. You may view the article at http://www.coastalliving.com/coastal/travel/bestofthecoast/article/0,14587,1534968,00.html

Pet Policy

Pets are allowed at Point Lookout State Park in the following areas:

• Pets are allowed in Malone Circle, Tulip Loop, Green's Point Loop and Hoffman's Loop in in campground
• Pets are allowed on paved portion of causeway, on beach north of the causeway to entrance of Tanner's Creek on Bay side, and beach south of causeway on the Bay side
• Pets are allowed in boat launch area to board vessels
• Pets are allowed in all day-use areas after Labor Day to Memorial Day weekend

Features

Boat launch, boat rental, camp fire programs, camp sites, cabins, camp store, dump station, fishing, flat water canoeing, hiking trails, hunting, historic interest, hook ups, pet trail, picnic area, playground, swimming, Civil War Museum/Marshland Nature Center and pavilion. All restrooms will be closed for winterization by November 1 and reopened on April 1. Portable toilets will be available in the park.

• Park Office - Summer hours (April 1 - October 31) are Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Winter hours (November 1 - March 31) are Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Summer visitation - Point Lookout occasionally fills to capacity on summer weekends and holiday weekends. During these times you will not be able to enter the park, nor will you be able to just drive through the park. You may call 301-872-5688 to check on our visitation volume, however we can make no guarantees that we will not be filled to capacity by the time you arrive. On holiday weekends ( Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day weekends) we do not allow people to drive through without paying the service charge due to the volume of traffic within the park.
• Day Use Service Charges - Weekends and holidays (May-September) $5 per person; out-of-state residents $6 per person. All other times $3 per vehicle; out-of-state residents $4 per vehicle. Day use service charges are valid for park use from 6 a.m. to sunset. (Maryland Passport, Disability and Golden Age Passes are valid during this time period. Active Military w/I.D.are exempt. Children in car seats are free.) Night fishing service charge is $3/vehicle for MD residents and $4/vehicle of out of state visitors and is in effect from sunset to 6 a.m. (use the white night pass envelope for payment). Any persons not actively fishing must leave at sunset.

  

• Camping - There are 143 wooded campsites available; 26 of these have full hook-ups, 33 of these have electric. One campsite for youth groups is also available. Reservations can be made by calling 1-888-432-2267. Campers may check in no later than 10:00 p.m. If the camp office is not staffed, campers may be required to use the self-registration system to check in. A full hook-up loop (Tulip) remains open year round for self-contained campers (no restrooms available). There is a self-registration/self check-in system (cash and checks accepted). Please contact the park for hours and closures in advance of your visit.
• Camp Store - The camp store is open May - September. The camp store offers snacks, drinks, bait, ice, gasoline for boats, and boating and camping supplies. Please call the park for hours of operation.
• Camp Office - Campers with reservations will be able to pick-up their registration packets at the camp office when park headquarters is not open. Reservations may be made for all loops October 28-30 due to Spirits of Point Lookout.
• Civil War Museum/Marshland Nature Center - The nature center and museum are a seasonal operation and are closed during the winter season. The nature center and museum offer programs in nature and Civil War history. Historic weapons safety guidelines for interpretive demonstration purposes as authorized by the Maryland Park Service.
• Fishing - The park features three fishing areas available 24 hours, including a 710 foot pier (24 hour operation April 1-December 30). A valid Chesapeake Bay Sport Fishing license and appropriate stamps are required. Fishing licenses are available for sale at the camp office. All other areas of the park are open for fishing year round. Active fishing is allowed 24 hours a day.
• Night Fishing Pass - Valid from sunset to 6 a.m. All passes are valid during this time period. Fishermen wishing to stay past sunset will be required to pay an additional night-use service charge of $3 per vehicle; $4 per vehicle for out-of-state residents. All members of your party must have a valid fishing license and be actively fishing to remain in the park after sunset.
• Causeway - All service charges will apply to the Causeway area. Those wishing to stay on the Causeway will be obligated to pay both the day use and night fishing pass service charges. To remain on the Causeway after sunset you will be required to have a night fishing pass displayed. Active fishing is required.
• Swimming - Visitors are encouraged to swim in the designated swimming area when Lifeguards are on duty. Guards are on duty 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends and holidays from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. The beach area has grills, picnic tables, and a playground. Facilities include showers and restrooms. Jelly fish may be found in our swim area. The number of jelly fish changes daily depending on the time of year and rainfall.

  

• Boating - A boat launch facility and fish-cleaning station are available for boaters. Boat rentals and supplies are also available at the camp store. Boat launch service charge is $10 per launch, valid 24 hours a day year round. Reduced services beginning December between the hours of 4 p.m. and 10 a.m. Launching is permitted 24 hours a day, however, launchers should be aware that there is no lighting in the area. For emergencies call 1-800-825-7275. Maryland Passport is the only pass accepted for service charge at launch.
• Camper/Cabins - There are six four-person camper/cabins available for overnight stays. No pets, smoking, or cooking are permitted inside the cabins. A fire ring is provided for cooking. Check in time is 2 p.m., checkout is at noon.
  
• Click here for camping season beginning and ending dates, and camping and shelter service charges.
• Beach Picnic Area - Area will be open daily starting Memorial Day through Labor Day weekend. Open year round with pedestrian access only during the winter season from sunrise to sunset. Limited parking is available near the entrance of the beach picnic area.
• Pavilion - This facility can accommodate 100 people maximum; reservations can be made up to one year in advance. Price does NOT include the per person service charge May through September on weekends and holidays, and the per vehicle service charge weekdays year-round. The pavilion contains a large open grill and picnic tables. Water and electric are available. The swimming area and a small playing field are nearby.
  
• Fort Lincoln - Open year round sunrise to sunset (self-guided).
• Hunting - There are 200 acres set aside for deer hunting. A valid hunting license and appropriate stamps are required (all seasons except early muzzleloader). Two waterfowl blind sites are available.
  Hunters may enter / remain on park property outside of the regular posted hours provided that they are engaged in legitimate, authorized hunting activity.

Self-Guided Recreational Activities:

• Cycling Point Lookout
• Cycling St. Mary's County
• Cycling St. Mary's County
• Fishing at Point Lookout
• Hiking at Point Lookout

Water Trail Guide

The Point Lookout State Park Water Trail Guide is available for sale at the park headquarters. To purchase copies of the Point Lookout State Park Trail Guide with a credit card, please "click" on this link to place your order online.

To purchase copies of the Point Lookout State Park Trail Guide with a check, please "click" on this link to print an order form.

Maryland Conservation Corps

Point Lookout State Park is supported by a Maryland Conservation Corps Program. The Maryland Conservation Corps (MCC) is an AmeriCorps program that engages young adults, ages 17-25, who want to dedicate a year of service to natural resource conservation. Over a ten to 11-month period, MCC members work as crews to complete 1,700 hours of service. Conservation service activities include: trail maintenance, environmental education, stream & wetland restoration, park facility improvements, invasive species removal and Bay grass planting. Extensive member training is provided, including: First Responder certification, Wildland Fire Fighting certification, Search and Rescue certification, Park Operations, Environmental Education and Interpretation, Chainsaw Safety, Leave No Trace and Canoe Trip Leading.

No minimum qualifications are required other than transportation to the designated job site and a desire to serve. Low-cost State Housing is available at certain crew sites. Benefits include a living allowance of $7.00/hour, health care benefits, child care assistance (if eligible) and a $4,725 education scholarship award for those members that complete $1,700 hours of service. MCC employs a Zero Tolerance Policy for any member who uses alcohol or illegal drugs while attending an MCC project, training or event.

For more information or to apply, contact the park manager or download an application from the Maryland Department of Natural Resource’s Maryland Conservation Corps website: http://www.dnr.state.md.us/mcc/index.asp

Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities

A limited number of accessible campsites are available at Point lookout. The 710' fishing pier at Point Lookout is accessible. Accessible picnic sites are located at the beach area.

For additional accessible amenities in Maryland State Forests and Parks, visit the Accessibility For All section of this website.

Volunteer opportunities are plentiful at Point Lookout. Volunteers can help with special events, site maintenance, visitor center activities, and general site operations. For volunteer information call 301-872-5688 and ask for the Volunteer Coordinator.

Location

Point Lookout State Park
11175 Point Lookout Road
Scotland, MD 20687

Contact Point Lookout

Phone: 301-872-5688

Hours of Operation

6 a.m. to Sunset
Certain activities are permitted outside of the regular park hours (e.g. fishing, boat launch, hunting where permitted). Please check with the park before your visit if you plan to engage in an activity which requires you to be in the park before or after the posted hours.

Directions from Baltimore:
From Rt. 695
Follow to Rt. 97 south to Rt. 3 south (Rt. 3 will turn into Rt. 301. Follow Rt. 301 south. From Rt. 301 south continue to Rt. 4 south in Upper Marlboro. Follow Rt. 4 south all the way across the Solomons Island Bridge. After the Solomons Island Bridge the first traffic light you come to will be Rt. 235. Turn left onto Rt. 235 south. Follow Rt. 235 south into a town called Ridge (there will be a blinking red light). Turn left onto Rt. 5 south. Follow Rt. 5 south as far as it will go (approximately 7 miles) and you will be in Point Lookout. After the entrance sign, the second road on the right will be the campground. When you arrive in the campground, park at the left and register at the Ranger Station.
Directions from Washington, D.C.:
From Rt. 495
Follow to Rt. 4/Pennsylvania Avenue south to Upper Marlboro. Continue on Rt. 4 south until you cross the Solomons Island Bridge. After the Solomons Island Bridge the first traffic light you come to will be Rt. 235. Turn left onto Rt. 235 south. Follow Rt. 235 south into a town called Ridge (there will be a blinking red light). Turn left onto Rt. 5 south. Follow Rt. 5 south as far as it will go (approximately 7 miles) and you will be in Point Lookout. After the entrance sign, the second road on the right will be the campground. When you arrive in the campground park at the left and register at the Ranger Station.
Directions from the Rt. 301 Bridge:
Follow Rt. 301 north to Rt. 234 towards Leonardtown. When you reach the end of Rt. 234 at Rt. 5 turn right. Follow Rt 5 south all the way into Point Lookout. After the entrance sign, the second road on the right will be the campground. When you arrive in the campground park at the left and register at the Ranger Station.